Beer #3: Double Dog IPA

Brewery: Flying Dog

Style: Imperial IPA

Alc %: 11.5

IBU: 85

Location: Colorado, USA

I've had this beer before... and I loved it! Got this in Flying Dog's "Canis Major" 4-pack, comprised of all strong / great beers. This one is the Double / Imperial IPA, and is certainly a handful. This is evidenced by both the IBU's (a solid 85) and the alcohol (a beautiful 11.5 percent). After having this beer once again (but judging it this time), it is just as good as the first time.

On the pour, you can immediately tell this is no ordlinary IPA, and really looks quite handsome, even for an Imperial. It pours a very appetizing burnt orange, with a nice fluffy light tan head that has decent staying power. Aroma wise, it certainly draws you in. Right off the bat you smell a sweet citrus hops. It quickly blossoms into a floral hoppiness, with some tangerine (or possibly peach?) highlights.

Tastewise, this is one of the better brews that I have tried. It's sweet, but extremely hoppy at the same time, with definite citrus and floral tastes to it. The hefty alcohol amount is actually pretty tame and subdued, and the beer has just enough malts to effectively balance the insane hoppiness. Double Dog has a pretty thick body, but anything less would really hurt the beer and leave it more or less crippled. The finish to this one is a very clingy bitterness, but also has a nice subtle sweetness that counters it.

After having this brew for the second time, it is still one of the top ten beer that I have ever had. It is very hoppy and bitter (as expected from an imperial IPA), but somehow has a very nice balance of subtle malts and citrus that not only makes it a great beer, but also makes it extremely drinkable. Still, it does dry out the mouth a bit, so it is by no means a session beer. This is exactly what I want in a good beer.

Rating: 93/100